Srinagar, October 19 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, forceful demonstrations were held at many places against the growing incidents of the chopping of the women’s braids, masterminded by Indian intelligence agencies.

More than three hundred such incidents have occurred during the last one month in the occupied territory. A large number of Huriryat leaders and activists took part in the protest at Abi Guzar near Lal Chowk in Srinagar. The protesters were holding banners and placards with slogans reading “Stop Braid Chopping” and “Attacks on dignity of daughters not acceptable”. The protesters said that braid chopping was a ploy to intimidate Kashmiris into relinquishing freedom struggle. The protests were organized by the Joint Resistance Leadership and participated among others by Hurriyat leaders Zamruda Habib, Muhammad Yousuf Naqash, Hakeem Abdur Rasheed and Showkat Ahmad Bakhshi.

A large number of women and men took to the streets in Hazratbal, Mehjoor Nagar, Batamalloo, Chattabal and Lasjan areas of Srinagar to condemn the shameful incidents. The protesters raised anti-India and anti-police slogans. Police used force and lobbed teargas shells on the protesters. A protest demonstration led by Jammu and Kashmir Mass Movement Chairperson, Farida Behanji was also held at Press Colony in Srinagar. Two more incidents of braid chopping were reported from Badgam district. A braid-chopper special police officer was caught and thrashed by people in Beerwah area of the district.

The residents of Kangan area of Ganderbal district blocked Srinagar-Leh highway at Preng to protest against the braid-chopping incidents. Traffic movement remained suspended on the Srinagar-Jammu highway due to a protest against thrashing of a truck-driver by police.

Clashes were reported from Tral area of Pulwama district against the ransacking of houses by Indian forces in the town. Youth took to streets and clashed with the forces in Tral, which followed complete shutdown in the town.

The High Court Bar Association and Private Schools Association of Kashmir in their separate statements in Srinagar denounced the braid chopping incidents. The Schools Association said that the menace had created fear psychosis among the students at all levels.

On the other hand, a delegation of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir visited Shopian to express solidarity with the family of martyred religious scholar, Showkat Ahmad Falahi. Dukhtaran-e-Millat and Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League in their separate statements paid glorious tributes to Showkat Falahi.